Calendar of Events
Past Events › Hands-on Activity
Marshmallow Launchers
Take aim and launch a sugary projectile at the target of your choice! Using PVC pipe and a variety of tools, you can design and build your very own marshmallow launcher in The Shop. Adjust your design for maximum distance and accuracy! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »Tech!Night
Visit The Discovery on the second Wednesday of every month for Tech!Night, a new program designed to put emerging technology in the hands of museum visitors. Tech!Nights will feature a variety of high-tech tools and techniques, gadgets and games – command a robot, print in 3-D, and even code a new game – happening monthly in Spark!Lab Smithsonian. Visiting Scientist: Joao Paulo Braz For this Tech!Night, Joao Paulo Braz, a Research Assistant in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nevada,…
Find out more »LED Cards for Sue
Say goodbye to A T. rex Named Sue, when you create a 2D piece of dinosaur art enhanced with an LED. What you create is yours to keep to remember your time with Sue the world famous T. rex! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »LED Cards for Sue
Say goodbye to A T. rex Named Sue, when you create a 2D piece of dinosaur art enhanced with an LED. What you create is yours to keep to remember your time with Sue the world famous T. rex! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »No-sew Zipper Pouch
Be ready for school or work with a do-it-yourself zipper pouch you create in The Shop. This no-sew project is a snap—simply use available materials to create a customized and versatile storage solution for pens, pencils, or anything you need to carry. Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »Open Build in The Shop
In The Shop, hands-on gets serious. During Open Build, take your pick from a variety of materials and use real tools to design and build nearly anything you can imagine. Best of all, what you create is yours to keep! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »DIY Weaving Loom
Learn the treasured art of weaving on a loom you create in The Shop. Using a variety of yarns, you’ll create a loom that can be the start of a woven item that will keep you warm and cozy in the winter months! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »DIY Weaving Loom
Learn the treasured art of weaving on a loom you create in The Shop. Using a variety of yarns, you’ll create a loom that can be the start of a woven item that will keep you warm and cozy in the winter months! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »Open Build in The Shop
In The Shop, hands-on gets serious. During Open Build, take your pick from a variety of materials and use real tools to design and build nearly anything you can imagine. Best of all, what you create is yours to keep! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »Open Build in The Shop
In The Shop, hands-on gets serious. During Open Build, take your pick from a variety of materials and use real tools to design and build nearly anything you can imagine. Best of all, what you create is yours to keep! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »DIY Plant Hanger
Prepare for the growing season when you create a hanging planter for a seedling of your choice. Using available tools and materials, you’ll create a comfy home for your seedling to live until it is ready for planting in the garden or a larger pot. Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »DIY Plant Hanger
Prepare for the growing season when you create a hanging planter for a seedling of your choice. Using available tools and materials, you’ll create a comfy home for your seedling to live until it is ready for planting in the garden or a larger pot. Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »DIY Plant Hanger
Prepare for the growing season when you create a hanging planter for a seedling of your choice. Using available tools and materials, you’ll create a comfy home for your seedling to live until it is ready for planting in the garden or a larger pot. Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »Open Build in The Shop
In The Shop, hands-on gets serious. During Open Build, take your pick from a variety of materials and use real tools to design and build nearly anything you can imagine. Best of all, what you create is yours to keep! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »DIY Kaleidoscopes
Ever wonder how a kaleidoscope works? Understand the science by creating your own in The Shop! Combine a variety of materials with angled reflective surfaces to build this traditional toy which gets its name from Greek words meaning “beautiful form to see.” Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »Open Build in The Shop
In The Shop, hands-on gets serious. During Open Build, take your pick from a variety of materials and use real tools to design and build nearly anything you can imagine. Best of all, what you create is yours to keep! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »DIY Kaleidoscopes
Ever wonder how a kaleidoscope works? Understand the science by creating your own in The Shop! Combine a variety of materials with angled reflective surfaces to build this traditional toy which gets its name from Greek words meaning “beautiful form to see.” Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »DIY Beanbag Toss
Visit The Shop to create your own version of the carnival favorite beanbag toss game. Using available materials, you can build a game to challenge yourself and your friends! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »DIY Beanbag Toss
Visit The Shop to create your own version of the carnival favorite beanbag toss game. Using available materials, you can build a game to challenge yourself and your friends! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »DIY Beanbag Toss
Visit The Shop to create your own version of the carnival favorite beanbag toss game. Using available materials, you can build a game to challenge yourself and your friends! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »Visiting Artist: Peter Hazel
Join Visiting Artist Peter Hazel, who will lead visitors through the intricate process of designing a large mosaic sculpture. With Peter’s help, museum visitors will create a mosaic tile to be added to a large-scale, 3D sculpture. About Peter Hazel Peter Hazel, 3D sculpture artist, is a master craftsman known for his design expertise and creativity with color and layout. He is inspired by nature, and seeks to create large sculptural pieces that hopes to connect the person interacting with…
Find out more »Open Build in The Shop
In The Shop, hands-on gets serious. During Open Build, take your pick from a variety of materials and use real tools to design and build nearly anything you can imagine. Best of all, what you create is yours to keep! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »Carnival Photo Props
Add some carnival fun and frivolity to your selfies with props you make yourself in The Shop! Combine a variety of materials to create your favorite carnival-themed photo props and let the fun begin! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »Carnival Photo Props
Add some carnival fun and frivolity to your selfies with props you make yourself in The Shop! Combine a variety of materials to create your favorite carnival-themed photo props and let the fun begin! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »